Apparatus for applying covers to jars and similar containers



Dec., 21, 1965 R. KELLER ETAL 3,224,154

APPARATUS FOR/KAPPLYING COVERS TO JARS AND SIMILAR CONTAINERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 22, 1962 i El i --L /NVEA/rop Dec. 21, 1965 R KELLER ETAL 3,224,164

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING COVERS TO JARS AND SIMILAR CONTAINERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 22, 1962 Ruda/f A/ELL E@ A/exander /Eu 5? BY #re/f AITOPA/Ey United States Patent C) 3,224,164 APPARATUS FOR APPLYlNG COVERS T JARS AND SIMILAR CONTAINERS Rudolf Keller and Alexander Keller, Neuss (Rhine), Germany, assignors to Firma Alexander Keller K.G., Neuss, Germany Filed Aug. 22, 1962, Ser. No. 218,751 Claims priority, application Germany, Oct. 17, 1961, K 44,945; Apr. 27, 1962, K 46,582 17 Claims. (Cl. 53-331) The present invention relates to improvements in apparatus which are utilized for applying deformable covers to open end portions of jars and similar containers, and more particularly to an apparatus which is capable of applying covers in such a way that the covers seal the open ends of containers. Such apparatus are especially useful in food processing plants in which jams, preserves, marmalade, stewed fruits, vegetables and other types of perishable foodstuffs are packed and stored in containers or jars made of vitreous, plastic and other suitable materials.

It is an important object of our invention to provide an apparatus which is capable of sealingly applying covers to jars and similar containers of the type having comparatively large open ends, and which is constructed and assembled in such a way that it can apply a deformable cover without the danger of breaking the container or of unnecessarily deforming the cover to such an extent that the cover cannot be readily removed when the user wishes to have access to the contents of the container.

Another object of the invention is to provide a very simple apparatus of the above outlined characteristics which can be combined with one or more similar appara- Atus for use in mass-manufacturing and packing of perishable goods which must be sealed from atmospheric air.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for applying substantially cup-shaped covers to open end portions of jars and similar containers in such a way that each cover will sealingly engage the respective container even though the tubular wall of the cover is not in full face-to-face engagement with the outer side of the end portion to which the cover is applied.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the above outlined characteristics which can -be utilized `for application of substantially cup-shaped covers to externally threaded or beaded end portions of jars and similar containers and which is constructed and assembled in such a way that the customary reinforcing rim of a cover is not deformed when the cover is applied to and sealingly engages the end portion of a container.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for the application of deformable covers to jars and similar containers of vitreous or other brittle material which can provide a satisfactory seal between the cover and the jar even if the end portion of the jar is not nished with a great degree of precision.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which is capable of simultaneously providing two sealing connections between a cup-shaped cover and the neck portion of a jar or a similar container irrespective of whether the neck portion has a smooth or uneven edge and irrespective of whether the neck portion is provided with one or more annular beads or with an external thread which may comprise one or more convolutions.

With the above objects in view, the invention resides in the provision of an apparatus for applying deformable tubular (preferably cylindrical) walls of substantially cup-shaped covers to externally threaded or beaded open end portions of jars and similar containers for jams, preserves, marmalade and other types of perishable goods.

The apparatus of our invention comprises a substanldd Patented Dec. 2l, 1965 ICC tially disk-shaped carrier having two opposed sides and a peripheral face located intermediate the two sides, one side of this carrier being adapted to engage and to press a cover against the end portion of a container in such a way that the tubular wall of the cover surrounds the end portion and that this one side extends radially outwardly and beyond the tubular wall, a plurality of substantially U-shaped deforming elements having pairs of spaced legs which are adjacent to the sides of the carrier and connecting portions located intermediate the respective legs and adjacent to the peripheral face of the carrier, the distance between the legs exceeding the thickness of the carrier so that the deforming elements are tiltable and axially movable in radial planes passing through the axis of the carrier and one leg of each deforming element being outwardly adjacent to the tubular wall of a cover which is engaged by the carrier, means `for normally biasing the deforming elements in a direction to maintain the one leg of each deforming element out of engagement with the tubular wall, and tilting means preferably assuming the form of annularly arranged elastic lingers which are movable into engagement with the connecting portions of the deforming elements to tilt the elements against the bias of the resilient means and to thereby move the one leg of each deforming element into deforming engagement with the tubular wall so that at least a portion of the wall assumes the external outlines of the end portion and retains the cover on the container.

Before proceeding with a detailed description of our invention, we will now outline certain drawbacks and deficiencies of conventional apparatus of which we are aware at this time. Thus, it is already known to utilize a deformable cup-shaped cover whose tubular or cylindrical wall is deformed into full or partial sealing engagement wtih the adjacent portion of a container. However, it has been found that it is not always sullicient to sealingly press the tubular wall of a cover against the container because some air is still free to escape from or to penetrate into the container, particularly if the external surface of the container is rough. It was also proposed to deform the customary annular rim at the open end of a cup-shaped cover to make sure that the deformation of the cover is permanent and that the cover will adhere with requisite force to the open end portion of a container. Such method has found little acceptance in the industry because comparatively strong pressures are necessary to deform the reinforced rim of a metallic or plastic cover, and also because some air is still likely to penetrate between the cover and the outer side of the container. Furthermore, if only isolated portions of the cover are deformed, the pressure which atmospheric air exerts upon the non-deformed portions is often strong enough to deform the cover beyond the deformation sustained during application of the cover to a container so that such covers are hard to unscrew from an externally threaded container. This is an inconvenience to housewives who are often unable to remove such covers without using makeshift tools or without requiring male help. It should be kept in mind that the interior of a sealed jar is normally under partial vacuum so that the pressure of atmospheric air is often suflicient to deform a comparatively thin cover subsequent to a deformation which the cover sustains in a conventional sealing apparatus. Such partial vacuum is created when certain foodstuffs are sterilized at elevated temperatures. Of course, once one begins to tamper with a knife, with a coin or with another makeshift tool to remove the cover, the deformation of threads in the cover may reach a degree which renders it impossible to reapply the cover onto the neck of a jar or another container. This can cause premature spoilage of the contents of the jar because the jar cannot be resealed in an airtight manner if the cover can be reapplied at all.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional ,objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following detailed description of certain specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is -an axial section through an apparatus which embodies one form of our invention, the def-orming elements being shown in idle position in which their lower legs are spaced from the tubular wall of a cover which is engaged by the underside of a disk-shaped carrier;

FIG, la is a similar axial section through the apparatus, showing the deforming elements in operative position in which the tips of their lower legs engage and deform the tubular wall in such a way that at least some portions of the wall follow the -oulines of the externally threaded end porti-on of a container whereby the cover is secured to and seals the open end of the container;

FIG. 2a is a fragmentary transverse section as seen in the direction of arrows from the line IIa-Ila of FIG. la showing the manner in which the marginal portion of a dished spring overlaps the upper legs of the deforming elements to thereby bias the lower legs in a direction away from the tubular wall of the cover;

FIG. 2b is another fragmentary transverse section as seen in the direction of arrows from the line IIb-IIb of FIG. la, showing in inclined peripheral portion at the upper side of the carrier which is engaged by the upper legs of the deforming elements when the deforming elements are free to yield to the bias of the dished spring;

FIG. 3 is an axial section through a modified apparatus weherein the dished spring tends to bias the deforming elements into deforming engagement with the tubular wall of a cover and wherein the deforming elements are biased in the opposite direction by a series of helical springs which are recessed into the peripheral face of the carrier, the -deforming elements being shown in idle position;

FIG. 3a is a similar axial section through the modilied apparatus, showing the deforming elements in operative position;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary transverse section as seen in the direction of arrows from the line IV-IV of FIG. 3a, showing that the peripheral face of the carrier is provided with axially parallel radially inwardly extending recesses which accommodate the connecting portions of the deforming elements and which can at least partially accommodate selected portions of elastic lingers serving as a means for tilting the lower legs of the deforming elements into deforming engagement with the tubular wall of a cover; and

FIG. 5 is a similar fragmentary transverse section through a modified apparatus, showing a specially constructed deforming element which is provided with a projection adapted to be engaged by a tilting linger so as to tilt the lower leg of the deforming element away from the cover before the linger engages the connecting portion of the deforming element.

Referring now in greater detail to the illustrated embodiments, and lirst to FIGS. 1 to 2b, there is shown an apparatus which is utilized for applying tubular walls of substantially cup-shaped covers to externally threaded or beaded open end portions or necks of jars and similar containers serving as a means for storing jams, preserves, marmalade, canned fruit, vegetables, and other types of perishable goods which must be sealed from atmospheric air. This apparatus comprises a moving means here shown as a r-am l which include an upwardly extending hollow rod 1a and a head 2 secured to or integral with the lower end of the rod 1a. The head 2 is surrounded by a retaining sleeve 2a which is secured thereto by bolts 2b and which holds a series of downwardly extending elastic tilting lingers 11, these tilting fingers being arranged in the form .of an annulus which extends downwardly and beyond the underside of the head 2.

The rod la is provided with a blind -bore 1b which accommodates a vertically slida-ble cap 3, and the latter is secured to the head of a supporting bolt 5 so that the cap and the bolt are slidable as a unit in the axial direction of the ram 1. The cap 3 is provided with a circumferential liange 3a which is engaged by the lower end of a helical expansion spring 4 whereby the cap is normally biased into abutment with the bottom wall of the bore 1b and the bolt 5 projects through a coaxial aperture 2c and beyond the underside of the head 2. The lower end of this bolt is driven into a tapped bore provided in the upper side 6a of a substantially disk-shaped carrier 6 whose peripheral face 6c has a diameter smaller than the internal diameter of the annular structure formed by the tilting lingers 11. Consequently, the carrier 6 may be moved upwardly t-oward the head 2 so that its peripheral face 6c enters the space delined by the lingers 11.

The bolt 5 carries a nut 9 which serves to adjust the bias of a resilient means here shown as a dished spring 10. This spring is slidable along the bolt 5 and its marginal portion 10a biases the upper legs 7a of substantially U- shaped clamping or deforming elements 7 whose lower legs 7b are adjacent to the underside 6d of the carrier 6. Each deforming element further comprises a connecting portion or web 7c which is adjacent to the cylindrical or polygonal peripheral face 6c and which is movable in axial direction of the carrier 6 because the thickness of the carrier is somewhat less than the distance between the legs 7a, 7b, these legs being substantially parallel with each other. Consequently, the deforming elements 7 are tiltable in radial planes passing through the axis of the carrier 6 and, in addition, each deforming element has limited freedom of axial displacement with respect to the carrier.

The upper side 6a of the carrier 6 comprises an annular peripheral portion 6b which makes an acute angle with the plane of the underside 6d; therefore, the lower legs 7b are caused to move radially outwardly and away from the axis of the carrier 6 when the overlapping marginal portion 10a of the spring 10 is free to bias the upper legs 7a against the peripheral portion 6b. Thus, when the head 2 assumes a position as shown in FIG. 1 (i.e., when the rounded terminals of the tilting fingers 11 engage the upper ends of the connecting portions 7c, the tips of lower legs 7b are spaced from the cylindrical wall 12b of a cupshaped cover 12 which is placed onto the open end portion or neck 8b of a jar 8 in such a way that the wall 12b surrounds the external threads 8a of the end portion 8b. It will be noted that the cover 12 is partially accommodated in a rather shallow depression 6e provided in the underside 6d of the carrier 6 and that the major part of the wall 12b extends downwardly from and beyond the underside 6d. The underside 6d extends radially outwardly from the wall 12b.

It should also be noted that the depression 6e is bounded by a tubular wall portion which is outwardly adjacent to the upper zone 12a of the wall 12b, by a at bottom wall portion which is surrounded by the tubular wall portion, and by a knurled intermediate portion of annular shape which causes deformation of the upper end zone 12a of the wall 12b into `sealing engagement with the edge of the container 8. This knurled intermediate portion provides the tubular wall 12b with a knurled or milled upper zone which enables a user to conveniently unscrew the cover l2 from the end portion 8b and which contributes to better sealing engagement between the cover and the container.

FlG. 1 illustrates the apparatus of our invention in a position its parts assume when selected portions of the tubular wall 12b are deformed against and assume the outline of the end portion 8b to thereby secure the cover 12 to the jar 8. In the first step, the jar 8 is moved beneath the carrier 6 in such a way that the cover 12 is located beneath and is aligned with the depression 6e. The wall 12b is not deformed and, therefore, this wall loosely surrounds the threads 8a on the end portion 8b of the jar. In the next step, the head 2 is caused to move downwardly to advance the underside 6d of the carrier into compressing engagement with the cover 12, i.e., the cover is now received in the depression 6e and, as the head 2 continues to move in downward direction, the spring 4 yields and the tilting fingers 11 begin to slide along the outer sides of the connecting portions 7c to tilt the lower legs 7b radially inwardly and into deforming engagement with the wall 12b so that this wall assumes the outlines of the end portion 8b and is thereby provided with threads which mesh with the threads 8a.

The advantage of the feature that the deforming ele ments are axially movable with respect to the carrier 6 and that these elements are biased by the spring 10 will be readily understood if one considers that the tip of a lower leg 7b may engage that portion of the wall 12b which is immediately adjacent to the crest of a thread Sa. As the respective finger 11 continues to tilt this lower leg radially inwardly, the entire deforming element changes its axial position against the bias of the spring and the tip of the lower leg 7b causes the corresponding portion of the wall 12b to penetrate into a groove above the adjacent thread. In other words, the spring 10 permits axial adjustments of the deforming elements in such a way that the lower leg 7b of each element will actually deform the adjacent portion of the wall 12b irrespective of whether the tips of the legs 7b initially press the wall 12b against a thread 8a or into a groove between a pair of convolutions on the end portion 8b. The tips of the low-er legs 7b preferably assume a conical shape to make sure that the deforming elements are more readily shiftable against he bias of the spring 10.

The means for reciprocating the ram 1 may comprise a suitable hydraulic or pneumatic motor or conventional design which is not shown in the drawings. It will be readily understood that the apparatus of my invention may comprise a large number of rams mounted on a common support in order that the apparatus may simultaneously apply covers to a substantial number of jars, particularly when the apparatus is utilized in massmanufacturing food processing plants. The jars 8 may be mounted on a turntable or the like, or they may be moved in an arcuate path thus enabling a new group of jars to move in operative position at the time the rams withdraw the respective tilting fingers upwardly and away from that group of jars which has been provided with covers in a preceding operation.

Each cover 12 is provided with a sealing washer 12e whose material is preferably sprayed onto the inner side of the top wall of the cover. The washer 12e is cornpressed into sealing engagement with the edge of the end portion 8b to make sure that no air can penetrate into the jar 8 once the cover 12 is applied thereto even if the wall 12b is not in full sealing engagement with the outer side of the end portion 8b. In other Words, the jar is properly sealed regardless of whether the entire wall 12b or only a part of this wall follows the outlines of the end portion 8b. The material of the washer 12e` is a synthetic plastic substance which is deformed when the spring 4 is compressed and which is readily slidable with respect to the material of the jar 8 so that the cover 12 may be screwed onto or removed from the end portion 8b with very little friction. Consequently, a housewife must exert a small force when she desires to remove the cover or when it becomes necessary to reapply the cover onto the jar.

The lower end of the tubular wall 12b is usually provided with a reinforcing portion in the form of a projecting edge or rim 12a', and the apparatus of my invention is preferably constructed in such a way that the lower legs 7b cannot reach the rim 12d when the upper legs 7a abut against the peripheral portion 6b of the surface 6a. In other words, the rim 12d is not deformed when the cover 12 is applied to the end portion 8b.

When the carrier 6 assumes the position of FIG. la, the knurled annular portion of the wall bounding the depression 6e deforms the upper Zone 12a of the wall 12b and thereby deforms the washer 12C into tight sealing engagement with the end portion 8b to make sure that no air can escape from or that no air can enter the internal space of the jar 8. The thickness of the washer 12e is normally selected in such a way that this washer provides a reliable seal even if the upper edge of the end portion 8b is not nished with utmost precision. For example, if the jar 8 consists of vitreous material, it can happen that the upper edge of the end portion 8b is not entirely smooth, that this edge is formed with valleys, undulations, Serrations or other irregularities so that a non-compressible washer could not properly seal the gap between this edge and the inner side of the cover 12.

Of course, it will be readily understood that the apparatus of our invention is equally effective if the end portion Sb of the jar is provided with one or more endless annular beads instead of thread 8a, and also that the deforming elements 7 are equally effective if the thread 8a comprises only one or two or more convolutions. In the event that the thread 8a comprises say two convolutions, certain elements 7 will deform the wall 12b into mesh with one of the convolutions and the remaining elements 7 will deform the wall 12b into mesh with the other convolution. In such instances, the length of all connecting portions 7c need not be the same to make sure that the lower legs 7b will deform axially spaced portions of the wall 12b.

It should further be noted that the improved apparatus is equally effective if the end portion 8b is provided with an annular or helical groove so that the threads formed by the groove do not extend beyond the outlines of this end portion. `In such instances, the lower legs 7b actually depress selected portions of the wall 12b inwardly and within the outlines of the end portion 8b. In other words, the wall 12b is then provided with internal threads which enter the groove or grooves provided in the peripheral surface of the end portion Sb. All such modifications are so obvious that they will be readily comprehended without necessitating additional illustrations.

The deforming elements may be mass-manufactured from suitable proled metallic or hard plastic stock. All that is necessary to cut an elongated U-shaped bar into short sections each of which then consititutes a deforming element. Of course, it is not always necessary that the deforming elements 7 be mounted as close to each other as show n in FIG. 2a or 2b. Thus, it is often sufricient to utilize a smaller number of deforming elements 4which are spaced in such a way that the gap between each pair of adjacent elements may accommodate one or more additional deforming elements.

By changing the stroke of the ram 17 an operator can readily alter the pressure which the lingers 11 exert against the elements 7 to thereby change the pressure upon the wall 12b.

The apparatus of FIGS. 3, 3a and 4 is very similar to the above described apparatus, with the exception that the dished spring 13 which is adjacent to the upper side of a slightly modified carrier 106 does not tend to bias the upper legs 107a of the deforming elements 107 into engagement with but rather away from the upper side Noa of this carrier. As shown, the upper side 106:1 is provided with a raised peripheral portion 106b which is again inclined with respect to the underside 106d of the carrier, i.e., with respect to a plane which intersects at right angles the axis of the carrier 4106. The median portion of the carrier is provided with an upwardly extending hub 106]c which abuts against the underside of the spring 13 when the nut 9 is drawn tight. The shoulder between the upper side 106e and the peripheral portion 10617 surrounds a shallow annular space for the marginal portion 13a of the spring 13 which is overlapped by the legs 107a. The construction of the ram 1 and of the tilting fingers 11 is the same as described in connection with FIGS. 1 and la.

The inner sides of the connecting portions 107C are engaged and biased by a second resilient means which assumes the form of helically -convoluted expansion springs 110, each recessed into a radially inwardly extending hole 106g provided in the peripheral face 106C of the carrier 106. The bias of the springs 110 is stronger than the bias of the spring 13 so that the lower arms 107b of the deforming elements normally tend to move radially outwardly and .away from the tubular wall 12b of a cover 12 which is received in the depression- 106@ provided in the underside 106d of the carrier 106. However, when the tilting fingers 11 are caused to move to the position of FIG. 3a, the elements 107 are tilted about the edge between the peripheral face 106C and the peripheral portion 106b, and the tips of the lower legs 10712 are caused to deform the wall 12b in a manner to connect the cover 12. to the end portion 8b of a jar 8. The spring 13 assists the lingers 11 to overcome the bias of the springs 110 and, as soon as the fingers 11 are retracted to the position of FIG. 3, the deforming elements 107 are free to follow the bias of the springs 110 and to move their lower legs 107b radially outwardly and away from the wall 12b. The fingers 111 consist of at least slightly elastic material to insure that the legs 107b cannot crush the end portion 8b when the ram 1 is caused to descend.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 3, 3a and 4, the tips of lower legs `107b move downwardly and against the bias of the spring 13 when the lower fingers happen to press the wall 12b against a thread or bead 8a rather than into a groove between two adjacent convolutions of the thread. This will be readily understood since the spring 13 n-ormally tends ot maintain the lower legs 10711 close to the underside 106d of the carrier 106. Consequently, the legs 10711 actually press the upper zone 12a of the wall 12b into tight sealing engagement with the edge of the end portion 8b.

FIG. illustrates a portion of an apparatus which is identical with the apparatus of FIGS. 3, 3a and 4, excepting that it utilizes different deforming elements 207. Each of these deforming elements is provided with an upwardly extending projection 207d which is aligned with the respective connecting portion 207C and which projects upwardly beyond the upper leg 207e. Consequently, the springs 110 of FIGS. 3 and 3a may be dispensed with because, `when the lingers 11 engage the respective pr-ojections 207d, the lower legs 20711 are automatically tilted radially outwardly and away from the axis of the carrier 206. However, as tihe fingers 11 begin to move downwardly, they come into engagement with the wedge-shaped connecting portions 207e and tilt the elements 207 in a sense that the lower legs 207b engage and deform the tubular wall of a ycover which is engaged by the underside 206d of the carrier 206. The spring 13 merely assists the lingers 11 in tilting the elements 207 back to the position of FIG. 5 when the fingers engage the respective projections 20761. The peripheral face 206C of the carrier 206 is preferably provided with radial recesses 206k.

The knurled upper zone -of the wall 12b of a deformed cover 12 (FIG. la or 3a) deforms the adjacent portion of the washer 12e into tight sealing engagement with the open end of the jar 8 even if the edge bounding the open end of the jar is uneven. Furthermore, and as explained hereinabove, their axial movability with respect to the carrier enables the deforming elements to deform the wall 12b in such a way that the sealing pressure of the washer 12e against the open end of the jar d is even increased, particularly when the lower arms 7b, 107b or 20% initially engage such portions of the wall 12b which abut against the thread 8a and thereupon slide either upwardly or downwardly into the groove adjacent to the thread. In other words, the fact that the deforming elements are mounted with axial play enables the apparatus of our invention to provide two sealing connections between a cover and the neck of a container and to insure that the customary washer in the cover is deformed into continuous sealing engagement with the container, especially if the wall bounding the depression in the underside of the carrier comprises a knurled or milled wall portion.

If the material -of the cover 12 is stretched during the deforming step, the original axial length of the cover may be less than its ultimate length so that one can achieve substantial savings in the material of which the covers consist, particularly in a mass-manufacturing plant where small savings in the material of a single cover add up if the covers are made in large quantities.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic and specic aspects of this invention and, therefore such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In an apparatus for applying deformable tubular walls of substantially cup-shaped covers to externally threaded or beaded open end portions of jars and similar containers, in combination, a substantially disk-shaped carrier having a first side, a second side, and a peripheral face located intermediate said sides, said second side adapted to engage and to press a cover against then end portion of a container in such a way that the tubular wall of the cover surrounds the end portion and that said second side extends radially beyond the tubular wall; a plurality of substantially U-shaped deforming elements each comprising a first and a second leg respectively adjacent to said rst and second sides and a connection portion located intermediate said legs and adjacent to the peripreral face of said carrier, the distance between said first and second legs exceeding the thickness of said carrier so that said deforming elements are titlable in radial planes passing through the axis of said carrier and movable in axial direction with respect to the carrier, said second legs being outwardly adjacent to the tubular wall of a cover which is engaged by the second side of said carrier; resilient means for normally biasing said deforming elements in a direction to maintain said second legs out of engagement with the tubular wall; and tilting means movable into engagement with said connecting portions for tilting said deforming elements and for Ithereby moving said second legs into deforming engagement with the tubular wall while permitting movement of said deforming elements in axial direction so that at least a portion of the wall assumes the external outlines of the end portion and retains the cover on the container and so that during inward movement of said second legs said deformable elements may shift in axial direction so as to engage a portion of the wall located between adjacent crests of a threaded end portion.

2. In an apparatus for applying deformable cylindrical walls of substantially cup-shaped covers to externally threaded or beaded open end portions of jars and similar containers, in combination, a substantially disk-shaped carrier raving a rst side, a second side, and a peripheral face located intermediate said sides, said second side adapted to engage and to press a cover against the end portion of a container in such a way that the cylindrical wall of the cover surrounds the end portion and that the peripheral portion of said second side extends radially outwardly and beyond the cylindrical wall; a plurality of substantially U-shaped deforming elements each comprising a first and a second leg respectively adjacent to said first and second sides and a connecting portion located intermediate said legs and adjacent to the peripheral face of said carrier, the distance between said first and second legs exceeding the thickness of said carrier so that said deforming elements are titlable and axially movable in radial planes passing through the axis of said carrier, said second legs being outwardly adjacent to the cylindrical vwall of a cover which is engaged by the second side of vsaid carrier; resilient means for normally biasing said deforming elements in a direction to maintain said second legs out of engagement with the cylindrical wall; and tilting means comprising a plurality of substantially annularly arranged elastic fingers movable in the axial direction of said carrier into engagement with said connecting portions for tilting said deforming elements against the bias of said resilient means and for thereby moving said second legs into deforming engagement with the cylindrical wall while permitting movement of said deforming elements in axial direction so that at least a portion of the wall assumes the external outlines of the end portion and retains the cover on the container and so that during inward movement of said second legs said deformable elements may shift in axial direction so as to engage a portion of the wall located between adjacent crests of a threaded end portion.

3. In an apparatus for applying deformable tubular walls of substantially cup-shaped covers to externally threaded or beaded open end portions of jars and similar containers, in combination, a substantially disk-shaped carrier having a first side, a second side, and a peripheral face located intermediate said sides, said second side adapted to engage and to press a cover against the end portion of a container in such a way that the tubular wall of the cover surrounds the end portion and that said second side extends radially beyond the tubular wall, said first 4side having a peripheral portion making an acute angle with the plane of said second side; a plurality of substantially U-shaped deforming elements each comprising a first and a substantially parallel second leg respectively` adjacent to said rst and second sides and a connecting portion located intermediate said legs and adjacent to the peripheral face of said cairrier, the distancebetween said first and second legs exceeding the thickness of said carrier so that said deforming elements are tiltable in radial planes passing through the axis of said carrier and movable in axial direction with respect to the carrier, said second legs being outwardly adjacent to the tubular wall of a cover which is engaged bythe second side of said carrier; resilient means for permanently biasing the first legs of said deforming elements against `the peripheral portion of said first side whereby the second legs of said deforming elements are normally maintained out of engagement with the tubular wall of a cover which is engaged by the second side of said carrier; and tilting means movable into engagement with said connecting portions for tilting said deforming elements against the bias of said resilient means and for thereby moving said second legs into deforming engagement with the tubular wall while permitting movement of said deforming elements in axial direction so that at least a portion of the wall assumes the external outlines of the end portion and retains the cover on the container and so that during inward movement of said second legs said deformable elements may shift in axial direaction so as to engage a portion of the wall located between adjacent crests of a threaded end portion.

4. A combination as set forth in claim 3, wherein said resilient means comprises a dished spring fixed to and adjacent to the first side of said carrier, said spring having a marginal portion overlapping the inner ends of said first legs of said deforming elemen-ts and biasing said first legs against the peripheral portion of said first side.

5. A combination as set forth in claim 4, further comprising means for adjusting the bias of said spring upon the first legs of said deforming elements.

6. In an apparatus for applying deformable tubular walls of substantially cup-shaped covers to externally threaded or beaded open end portions of jars and similar containers, in combination, a substantially disk-shaped carrier having a first side, a second side, and a peripheral face located intermediate said sides, said second side adapted to engage and to press a cover against the end portion of a container in such a way that the tubular wall of the cover surrounds the end portion and that said second side extends radially beyond the tubular wall; a plurality of substantially U-shaped deforming elements each comprising a first and a second leg respectively adjacent to said first and second sides and a connecting portion located intermediate said legs and adjacent to the peripheral face of said carrier, the distance between said first and second legs exceeding the thickness of said carrier so that said deforming elements are tiltable in radial planes passing through the axis of said carrier and movable in axial direction with respect to the carrier, said second legs being outwardly adjacent to the tubular wall of a cover which is engaged by the second side of said carrier; first resilient means mounted in said carrier and inwardly adjacent to said connecting portions for biasing said deforming elements in a direction to maintain said second legs out of engagement with the tubular wall; second resilient means mounted on said carrier and engaging the inner ends of said first legs of said deforming elements, said second resilient means tending to bias said deforming elements counter to the bias of said first resilent means and tending to shift said deforming elements in axial direction; and tilting means movable into engagement with said connecting portions for tilting said deforming elements counter to the bias of said first resilient means and for thereby moving said second legs into deforming engagement with the tubular wall while permitting movement of said deforming elements in axial direction so that at least a portion of the Wall assumes the external outlines of the end portion and retains the cover on the container and so that during inward movement of said second legs said deformable elements may shift in axial direction so as to engage a portion of the wall located between adjacent crests of a threaded end portion.

7. A combination as set forth in claim 6, wherein said first resilent means comprises a plurality of helically convoluted expansion springs recessed into the peripheral face of said carrier and engaging the inner sides of said connecting portions.

8. A combination as set forth in claim 6, wherein said second resilient means comprises a dished spring adjacent to the first side of said carrier, said dished spring having a marginal portion which is overlapped by the first legs of said deforming elements.

9. In an apparatus for applying deformable cylindrical walls of substantially cup-shaped covers to externally threaded or beaded open end portions of jars and similar containers, in combination, a substantially disk-shaped carrier having a first side, a second side, and a peripheral face located intermediate said sides, said second side adapted to engage and to press a cover against the end portion of a container in such a way that the cylindrical wall of the cover surrounds the end portion and that the peripheral portion of said second side extends radially outwardly and beyond the cylindrical Wall; a plurality of lll substantially U-shaped deforming elements each cornprising a first and second leg respectively adjacent to said first and second sides and a connecting portion located intermediate said legs and adjacent to the peripheral face of said carrier, the distance between said first and second legs exceeding the thickness of said carrier so that said de'forming elements are tiltable and axially movable in radial planes passing through the axis of said carrier, said second legs being outwardly adjacent to the cylindrical wall of a cover which is engaged by the second side of said carrier, each of said deforming elements further comprising a projection extending in the axial direction of said carrier and beyond the respective rst leg; and tilting means comprising a plurality of substantially annularly arranged elastic lingers movable in the axial direction of said carrier first into engagement with said projections for tilting the second legs of said deforming elements in a direction radially of and away from the cylindrical wall, and thereupon into engagement with said connecting portions for tilting said deforming elements in the opposite direction and for thereby moving said second legs into deforming engagement with the cylindrical wall While permitting movement of said deforming elements in axial direction so that at least a portion of the wall assumes the external outlines of the end portion and retains the -cover on the container and so that during inward movement of said second legs said deformable elements may shift in axial direction so as to engage a portion of the wall located between adjacent crests of a threaded end portion.

10. In an apparatus for applying deformable tubular walls of substantially cup-shaped covers to externally threaded or beaded open end portions of jars and similar containers, in combination, a substantially disk-shaped carrier having a first side, a second side, and a peripheral face located intermediate said sides, said second side having a concentric depression adapted to receive a portion of a cover in such a way that a peripheral portion of said second side extends radially outwardly and beyond the tubular wall of the cover; means for moving said carrier and for thereby advancing a cover which is received in said depression against and into sealing engagement with the open end of a container in such. a way that the tubular wall of the cover surrounds the end portion of the container; a plurality of substantially U-shaped deforming elements each comprising a first and a second leg respectively adjacent to said first and second sides and a connecting portion located intermediate said legs and adjacent to the peripheral face of said carrier, the distance between said first and second legs exceeding the thickness of said carrier so that said deforming elements are tiltable in radial planes passing through the axis of said carrier and movable in axial direction with respect to the carrier, said second legs being outwardly adjacent to the tubular wall of a cover which is engaged by the second side of said carrier; resilient means for normally biasing said deforming elements in a direction to maintain said second legs out of engagement with the tubular Wall; and tilting means movable into engagement with said connecting portions for tilting said deforming elements and for thereby moving said second legs into deforming engagement with the tubular wall while permitting movement of said deforming elements in axial direction so that at least a portion of the wall assumes the external outlines of the end portion and retains the cover on the container and so that during inward movement of said second legs said deformable elements may shift in axial direction so as to engage a portion of the wall located between adjacent crests of a threaded end portion.

1l. A combination as set forth in claim 10, wherein said depression is bounded by a wall having a tubular portion partially surrounding the tubular wall of a cover received in said depression, a bottom portion surrounded by said tubular portion, and a knurled substantially concave annular intermediate portion located between said bottom portion and said tubular portion.

12. In an apparatus for applying deformable tubular walls of substantially cup-shaped covers to externally threaded or beaded open end portions of jars and similar containers, in combination, a substantially disk-shaped carrier having a first side, a second side, and a peripheral face located intermediate said sides, said peripheral face having a plurality of substantially axially parallel radially inwardly extending recess and said second side adapted to engage and to press a cover against the end portion of a container in such a way that the tubuar wall of the cover surrounds the end portion and that said second side extends radially beyond the tubular wall; a plurality of substantially U-shaped deforming elements each com prising a first and a second leg respectively adjacent to said first and second sides and a connecting portion received in one of said recesses, the distance between said first and second legs exceeding the thickness of said carrier so that said deforining elements are tiltable in the respective recesses in radial planes passing through the axis of said carrier and movable in axial direction with respect to the carrier, said second legs being outwardly adjacent to the tubular wall of a cover which is engaged by the second side of said carrier; resilient means for normally biasing said deforming elements in a direction to maintain said second legs out of engagement with the tubular wall of a cover which is engaged by said second side; and tilting means comprising a plurality of elastic fingers movable in the axial direction of said carrier and against the bias of said resilient means into engagement with said connecting portions for tilting said deforming elements and for thereby moving said second legs into deforming engagement with the tubular wall While permitting movement of said deforming elements in axial direction so that at least a portion of the wall assumes the external outlines of the end portion and retains the cover on the container and so that during inward movement of said second legs said deformable elements may shift in axial direction so as to engage a portion of the wall located between adjacent crests of a threaded end portion.

13. In an apparatus for applying deformable tubular walls of substantially cup-shaped covers to externally threaded or beaded open end portions of jars and similar containers, in combination, a substantially disk-shaped carrier having a first side, a second side, and a peripheral face located intermediate said sides, said peripheral face having a plurality of substantially axially parallel radially inwardy extending recesses and said second side adapted to engage and to press a cover against the end portion of a container in such a way that the tubular wall of the cover surrounds the end portion and that said second side extends radially beyond the tubular wall; a plurality of substantially U-shaped deforming elements each comprising a first and a second leg respectively adjacent to said first and second sides and a connecting portion fully received in one of said recesses, the distance between said first and second legs exceeding the thickness of said carrier so that said deforming elements are tiltable in the respective recesses in radial planes passing through the axis of said carrier and movable in axial direction with respect to the carrier, said second legs being outwardly adjacent to the tubular wall of a cover which is engaged by the second side of said carrier; resilient means for normally biasing said deforming elements in a direction to maintain said second legs out of engagement with the tubular wall of a cover which is engaged by said second side; and tilting means comprising a plurality of elastic fingers movable in the axial direction of said carrier and against the bias of said resilient means into said recesses and into engagement with the respective connecting portions for tilting said deforming elements and for thereby moving said second legs into deforming engagement with the tubular wall while permitting movement of said deforming elements in axial direction so that at least a portion of the wall assumes the external outlines of the end portion and retains the cover on the container and so that during inward movement of said second legs said deformable elements may shift in axial direction so as to engage a portion of the wall located between adjacent crests of a threaded end portion.

14. In an apparatus for applying deformable tubular walls of substantially cup-Shaped covers to externally threaded or beaded open end portions of jars and similar containers, in combination, a substantially disk-shaped carrier having a first side, a second side, and a peripheral face located intermediate said sides, said second side adapted to engage and to press a cover against the end portion of a container in such a way that the tubular wall of the cover surrounds the end portion and that said second side extends radially beyond the tubular wall; a plurality of substantially U-shaped deforming elements each comprising a first and a second leg respectively adjacent to said first and second sides and a connecting portion located intermediate said legs and adjacent to the peripheral face of said carrier, the distance between said first and second legs exceeding the thickness of said carrier so that said deforming elements are tiltable in radial planes passing through the axis of said carrier and movable in axial direction with respect to the carrier, said second legs being outwardly adjacent to the tubular wall of a cover which is engaged by the second side of said carrier and the thickness of said connecting portions increasing in a direction from the first toward the second legs of the respective deforming elements; resilient means for normally biasing said deforming elements in a direction to maintain said second legs out of engagement with the tubular wall; and tilting means movable into engagement with said connecting portions for tilting said deorming elements and for thereby moving said second legs into deforming engagement with the tubular wall while permitting movement of said deforming elements in axial direction so that at least a portion of the wall assumes the external outlines of the end portion and retains the cover on the container and so that during inward movement of said second legs said deformable elements may shift in axial direction so as to engage a portion of the wall located between adjacent crests of a threaded end portion.

15. In an apparatus for applying deformable cylindrical walls of substantially cup-shaped covers to externally threaded or beaded open end portions of jars and similar containers, in combination, a substantially disk-shaped carrier having a first side, a second side, and a peripheral face located intermediate said sides; means for moving the second side of said cover into engagement with a cover whose cylindrical wall surrounds the open end portion of a container in such a way that the second side of the carrier extends radially beyond the cylindrical Wall and that the cover is sealingly pressed against the open end of the container; a plurality of substantially U-shaped deforming elements each comprising a first and a second leg respectively adjacent to said first and second sides and a connecting portion located intermediate said first and second legs and adjacent to the peripheral face of said carrier, the distance between said lirst and second legs exceeding the thickness of said carrier so that said deforming elements are tiltable and axially movable in radial planes passing through the axis of said carrier, said second legs being outwardly adjacent to the cylindrical wall of a cover which is engaged by the second side of said carrier; resilient means provided on said carrier for normally biasing said deforming elements in a direction to maintain said second legs out of engagement with the cylindrical wall; and tilting means connected to and movable by said moving means into engagement with said connecting portions for tilting said deforming elements and for thereby moving said second legs into deforming engagement with the cylindrical wall while permitting movement of said deforming elements in axial direction so that at least a portion of the'wall assumes the external outlines of the end portion and retains the cover on the container and so that during inward movement of said second legs said deformable elements may shift in axial direction so as to engage a portion of the wall located between adjacent crests of a threaded end portion.

16. In an apparatus for applying deformable tubular walls of substantially cup-shaped covers to externally threaded or beaded open end portions of jars and similar containers, in combination, a substantially disk-shaped carrier having a first side, a second side, and a peripheral face located intermediate said sides, said second side adapted to engage and to press a cover against the end portion of a container in such a way that the tubular wall of the cover surrounds the end portion and that said second side extends radially beyond the tubular wall; a plurality of substantially U-shaped deforming elements each comprising a first and a second leg respectively adjacent to said first and second sides and a connecting portion located intermediate said legs and adjacent to the peripheral face of said carrier, the distance between said first and second legs exceeding the thickness of said carrier so that said deforming elements are tiltable in radial planes passing through the axis of said carrier and movable in axial direction with respect to the carrier, said second legs being outwardly adjacent to the tubular wall of a cover which is engaged by the second side of said carrier; and tilting means movable into engagement with said connecting portions for tilting said deforming elements and for thereby moving said second legs into deforming engagement with the tubular wall while permitting movement of said deforming elements in axial direction so that at least a portion of the wall assumes the external outlines of the end portion and retains the cover on the container and so that during inward movement of said second legs said deformable elements may shift in axial direction so as to engage a portion of the wall located between adjacent crests of a threaded end portion.

17. A combination as set forth in claim 16 for the application of covers which are provided with internal sealing washers adapted to sealingly engage the edge at the open end of a container, further comprising means for moving said carrier into compressive engagement with the cover so as to sealingly press the washer against the edge of the container prior to deformation of the tubular wall into sealing engagement with the end portion of the container whereby the washer remains under compression after deformation of the tubular wall to provide a fluidtight seal between the cover and the container.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 917,344 4/1909 McAnulty 53--351 930,145 8/1909 Brewington 53--351 1,773,259 8/1930 Cundall 53--355 X 2,058,892 10/1936 Koch 53-351 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,059,277 11/ 1953 France.

FRANK E. BAILEY, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT A. LEIGHEY, Examiner. 

1. IN AN APPARATUS FOR APPLYING DEFORMABLE TUBULAR WALLS OF SUBSTANTIALLY CUP-SHAPED COVERS TO EXTERNALLY THREADED OR BEADED OPEN END PORTIONS OF JARS AND SIMILAR CONTAINER, IN COMBINATION, A SUBSTANTIALLY DISK-SHAPED CARRIER HAVING A FIRST SIDE, A SECOND SIDE, AND A PERIPHERAL FACE LOCATED INTERMEDIATE SAID SIDES, SAID SECOND SIDE ADAPTED TO ENGAGE AND TO PRESS A COVER AGAINST THEN END PORTION OF A CONTAINER IN SUCH A WAY THAT THE TUBULAR WALL OF THE COVER SURROUNDS THE END PORTION AND THAT SAID SECOND SIDE EXTENDS RADIALLY BEYOND THE TUBULAR WALL; A PLURALITY OF SUBSTANTIALLY U-SHAPED DEFORMING ELEMENTS EACH COMPRISING A FIRST AND A SECOND LEG RESPECTIVELY ADJACENT TO SAID FIRST AND SECOND SIDES AND A CONNECTION PORTION LOCATED INTERMEDIATE SAID LEGS AND ADJACENT TO THE PERIPHERAL FACE OF SAID CARRIER, THE DISTANCE BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND LEGS EXCEEDING THE THICKNESS OF SAID CARRIER SO THAT SAID DEFORMING ELEMENTS ARE TILTABLE IN RADIAL PLANES PASSING THROUGH THE AXIS OF SAID CARRIER AND MOVABLE IN AXIAL DIRECTION WITH RESPECT TO THE CARRIER, SAID SECOND LEGS BEING OUTWARDLY ADJACENT TO THE TUBULAR WALL OF A COVER WHICH IS ENGAGED BY THE SECOND SIDE OF SAID CARRIER; RESILIENT MEANS FOR NORMALLY BIASING SAID DEFORMING ELEMENTS IN A DIRECTION TO MAINTAIN SAID SECOND LEGS OUT OF ENGAGEMENT WITH THE TUBULAR WALL; AND TILTING MEANS MOVABLE INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID CONNECTING PORTIONS FOR TILTING SAID DEFORMING ELEMENTS AND FOR THEREBY MOVING SAID SECOND LEGS INTO DEFORMING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID THE TUBULAR WALL WHILE PERMITS MOVEMENT OF SAID DEFORMING ELEMENTS IN AXIAL DIRECTION SO THAT AT LEST A PORTION OF THE WALL ASSUMES THE EXTERNAL OUTLINES OF THE END PORTION AND RETAINS THE COVER ON THE CONTAINER AND SO THAT DURING INWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID SECOND LEGS SAID DEFORMABLE ELEMENTS MAY SHIFT IN AXIAL DIRECTION SO AS TO ENGAGE A PORTION OF THE WALL LOCATED BETWEEN ADJACENT CRESTS OF A THREADED END PORTION. 